Whitby to York Rail Link

Does Va GTI Asset Management actually exist? I have googled and the only references to it are in the local paper regarding the feasibility study and on the Nat Pres website.

 

No Web search results at all, other than where it's being discussed, is a big giveaway, in my opinion...

 

Don't people (including journalists) do any research. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is

 

The latest post (pinned) on the Facebook group suggests that new members will be subject to a search on 192.com or, suggested elsewhere, the electoral roll! It seems that they've had a couple of people commenting on there under false names, presumably having been banned previously for daring to express an opinion contrary to the party line. It also makes reference to this thread, and similar on two other forums - not defending the proposal against the criticism levelled against it, but merely attempting to discredit it by linking some of the posters here to another Facebook group (confused yet?) which was previously set up, in response to the initial proposal, to provide a venue for open discussion of all the options. Apparently, those named have "gone to such great lengths to discredit this [those proposing a takeover of the NYMR] group" - yet absolutely nothing has been put forward as a credible defence. Indeed, some fundamental questions, posed repeatedly, have gone completely ignored.

Perhaps the community would like to discuss the following comment, from this thread on the group?

(with reference to the request, above, not to copy the content of other online sites into this one - hopefully this short quote, relevant to the discussion, is acceptable, but please accept my apologies if not...)

It has, of course, been pointed out on numerous occasions that a comparable Whitby to York direct journey could be achieved for a fraction of the cost (both initial investment and ongoing operating costs) over the existing route - the "available budget", bearing in mind that they acknowledge that the proposal will cost something in the region of £100m, could stretch to enhancements on the Esk Valley line to improve journey times and capacity, providing a decent direct service from York, reinstating Rillington to Pickering to support a shuttle service and putting a substantial amount of money into the NYMR to improve its existing operation! The last part of the comment is interesting too - again, it's been shown (in detail) exactly how imposing regular 'modern' through services from the national network onto the NYMR's core operation will be potentially very damaging, from both heritage and commercial points of view. The journey times quoted just seem to have been pulled out of a hat too.

Bonkers!

 

It should be pointed out, of course, that "those named have "gone to such great lengths to discredit this [those proposing a takeover of the NYMR] group" - yet absolutely nothing has been put forward as a credible defence" is nothing more than the fabled pot calling the kettle black, and indeed is a direct copy of a challenge made to them on several occasions. Many attempts have been made to get this mob to engage in open debate, yet they refuse to do so, quoting "commercial confidentiality", "we can't say anything in case it scares the investors away" and other such guff. A channel of communication to the NYMR was offered in good faith, but has been rejected out of hand. They seem to be under the impression that the NYMR should be contacting them! Really? How arrogant. There's no point, it seems, in trying to debate with them; they either ignore questions, despite promising to do a 'daily Q&A session', or simply block anyone who challenges 'the project'. Now, I understood that, regarding forum IDs, the accepted rules are that one challenges the post, not the poster. That doesn't work with this bunch...

 

As one of those "named and shamed" for daring to criticise this idiocy, please can I ask everyone reading this who has a FB account to join this group and start asking sensible questions about the viability of this project. Being asked legitimate questions is the same as being hounded to them, it's their way of getting out of answering them and ~I for one don't think they should be able to get away with it!

 

Which group - I'm confused!

 

York to Whitby via Rillington junction is the one to join - the more the better as they are vetting all applicants via 192.com, which they will have to pay for - hit 'emj where it hurts!

 

There's been a further update on the Facebook group (this post) explaining some of the potential benefits of this project. The highlight is a "brand new Mallard Steam Engine", which might even be able to break the world speed record. There's even a suggestion that "...tourist [sic] would love to have a ride on this memorable railway" and that it could be a "grand success" (have any of them actually visited the NYMR??). Please, put any drinks down before reading, to avoid the need for a new keyboard or mobile device...

I'd also echo the comments of "named and shamed" above and ask as many of you as possible to join this group and use your railway knowledge and experience to ask some sensible questions. It's actually quite good fun watching them studiously ignore anything 'difficult'!

 

These people must be living in a parallel universe if these are their objectives. As you say knowledge and experience need to be used to counter their war against the NYMR.

 

Good luck with that one. People like this bunch simply don't do reality. In their bubble, the world is out of step with them, not v.v.

The best hopes (in order of likelihood of actually happening) are:-

- (1) that they fixate on some other obsession and take their bowel-shattering stupidity elsewhere, though sadly making more innocent peoples' lives miserable in the process, OR
- (2) that they overstep some legal line and someone (NYMR??) is able to nail them with an injunction or such like, OR
- (3) contrary to all current expectations, psychiatric care makes some giant leap forward...

 

Do you really want to get into that particular Vietnam?

 

Perhaps someone could join the Facebook group and (before asking too many difficult questions and being removed as a result) do just that, pointing out that they really could do with putting some sort of credible defence. I would point out, though, that the promoters are already well aware of this thread, and indeed have invited their members to read it - though their expectation seems to be that they'll conclude that any criticism is purely the result of an unjustified personal vendetta and that everyone else will think that it's an absolutely fantastic idea!

 

That challenge has already been made, Martin. The lack of response, other than weapons-grade frothing and foaming on their Farceberk page about anyone who dares criticize 'the project', speaks volumes...

 

They know they're right. Why would they bother having debate.

 

Would any journalists, local politicians, planners or whoever actually take these groups seriously?

 

reminds me of ukip,not a brain among them.

 

One of them is standing for election as a councillor in Whitby.

For UKIP....

 

I think the situation has reached stalemate. They daren't publish their twaddle anywhere other than their own Facebook pages for fear of being asked searching but reasonable questions, and they've blocked just about anyone who might be interested in asking such questions. In other words, they have backed themselves into a corner.